More Virginians signed up for Obamacare in 2016

Feb. 08--The number of Virginians who have health insurance from the state's Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act grew by more than 36,000 in the 2016 open enrollment period, according to the latest government figures.

Statewide, 421,897 selected health insurance plans from Nov. 1, 2016, to Jan. 31, the Department of Health and Human Services reports. In 2015, more than 385,000 Virginians enrolled through the state's Marketplace, the federal agency reported.

As the Republican Congress and President Donald Trump continue planning to dismantle the ACA, known as "Obamacare," more than 9.2 million people signed up for coverage in the 39 states that use the HealthCare.gov Marketplace operated by the federal government, according to HHS.

The national figure is down a little more than 4 percent from the more than 9.6 million who were covered last year.

More than 84,000 people signed up or renewed health coverage under the ACA in the area that includes Norfolk, Newport News and Portsmouth, the agency reported.

The signature project of former President Barack Obama, the ACA created state Marketplaces that offer health insurance plans. As one of his first actions, Trump issued an executive order to role back the program and congressional Republicans promised its repeal. Since then, however, Republicans have slowed their efforts and Trump has said it may be another year before changes are made.

Meanwhile, recent polls show that the ACA is growing in popularity with Americans. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll taken annually since the ACA was enacted in 2010 found in January that 45 percent of Americans approved of the law while 41 percent disapproved.

"While enrollment is down, this does not exactly paint a picture of a program collapsing," said Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.

"Enrollment had been tracking on pace with last year, but sign-ups slowed down in the final weeks of open enrollment," said Caroline Pearson of the consulting firm Avalere Health. The controversy over unwinding the health care law may have contributed, she said.

More than 50,000 people in Hampton Roads signed up for health care plans this year through the state's Marketplace, according to figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In a local health care market that includes Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News, 53,418...

More than 50,000 people in Hampton Roads signed up for health care plans this year through the state's Marketplace, according to figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In a local health care market that includes Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News, 53,418...

Those who signed up for Marketplace plans by Jan. 15 have plans that began Feb. 1. Those who enroll by Jan. 31 have plans that begin March 1.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Canty can be reached by phone at 757-247-4832.

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